From the flow of water to the flow of revenue, NBS helps facilitate the intricate balancing act that keeps communities running fiscally strong. NBS consultants and engineers have provided focused financial consulting, assessment engineering, special assessment software, ongoing special assessment, tax and fee administration, and related support to over 300 public agencies. The ultimate goal of NBS is to ensure quality results for the local public agencies it serves so that they are seen as serving their constituents in an exemplary manner.

NBS is also committed to being part of the solution to avoid overuse of resources in our economy today, striving to be good business partners with its local government clients.

Tim Seufert, Managing Director of NBS, put it very plainly: "Being “green” is good for our planet, our people and our bottom line. What can we do about global warming and our significant impact on the environment? We can simply lessen our business impact on the environment."

In 2007, NBS began measuring and neutralizing the carbon emissions associated with its office energy consumption and business-related travel. NBS’s support of Carbonfund.org helps fight the effects of climate change through innovative projects such as the Tensas River reforestation project in Louisiana that absorbs carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as well as the Truck Stop Electrification project that has enabled truckers to reduce tailpipe emissions, saving a gallon of diesel per hour.

Over the past seven years, NBS has mitigated the effects of 875,000 pounds of carbon emissions through its support of Carbonfund.org’s carbon reduction projects. This equates to removing the carbon dioxide produced by burning almost 45,000 gallons of gasoline.

In addition to neutralizing carbon emissions from unavoidable business travel and office energy usage, NBS continues to reduce its operational impact on the environment by:

• Minimizing usage of disposable materials by minimizing hard copy printouts in presentations and using dishware in the office instead of paper and plastic;

• Recycling paper and most food and beverage containers;

• Purchasing “good” paper and printing services, such as recycled paper and paper that meets the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards; and

• Prescribing to Carbonfund.org’s motto of “reduce what you can, offset what you can’t™” by minimizing travel via technology and online conferencing tools in lieu of physical travel.

NBS is a great example of a consultancy focused on improving the efficient, sustainable operation of communities by maintaining those principles within its own organization. Carbonfund.org congratulates NBS on its seventh year of carbon neutral operations.

As part of Carbonfund.org’s mission toward a ZeroCarbonTM world, our programs make it easy and affordable for any individual, business or organization to reduce and offset their climate impact and hasten the transition to a clean energy future. This focus on simplicity and affordability made it a natural to expand our partnership with CarbonFree® Business Partner Propel Fuels to create an at-the-gas-pump CarbonOffset program supporting clean air technology.

Last May, Carbonfund.org partnered with Propel Fuels, a retailer of renewable fuels that began offering consumers the ability to offset their driving emissions at the Clean Mobility Center in Fullerton, California any time they fill their gas tank. Customers may select the CarbonOffset option at the pump, and the funds will go towards Carbonfund.org’s clean air projects that spur technology developments to reduce carbon emissions.

Since CarbonOffset was launched in May, customers have chosen to contribute $1.00 per fill to fully offset the emissions from their fuel purchase more than 1,000 times. The two-month pilot has offset more than 160,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions at this single station, which is equivalent to taking 84 cars off the road in the same two-month time period. CarbonOffset contributions from the program’s first year of operation will help support Carbonfund.org’s Truck Stop Electrification project, which improves air quality around truck stops and surrounding communities and offers drivers, employees and residents a cleaner and quieter environment with fewer harmful air pollutants.

"The early success of Propel's CarbonOffset program is strong evidence that consumers are ready and willing to support clean energy, especially if the cost and benefits are clear," said Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org. "Thanks to Propel, thousands of drivers can vote with their dollars to support clean energy and domestic, renewable fuels."

If the CarbonOffset program continues at its current rate of participation, the program has the potential to offset more than 5 million pounds of carbon emissions over the next five years at this station alone, making a measurable contribution to emission reductions and a cleaner environment. Carbonfund.org is proud to partner in this ground-breaking program and to facilitate a simple and cost-effective method for vehicle emissions offsetting through supporting clean air technology.